The 2014 Infiniti QX70
Infiniti rebadged its sporty FX midsized crossover range including the V6 powered FX37 and V8 engined FX50 as the QX70 as a part of the manufacturers new Q-based nomenclature system. The new sports beauty is due in late 2015 or early the following year. Proudly maintaining the bold styling of its predecessors the 2014 Infiniti QX70 will be the crossover’s third iteration. The changed name is no reason to be fooled for apart from the new moniker, the QX70 still remains identical to the last years FX and hence is still one of the most drover-focused crossovers in the market all credits to the platform shared with the agile and sporty Nissan 370Z sports car. A few welcome changes, however, will include more interior space in order to alleviate one of the main drawbacks of the current model. Along with that a cushier cabin is also a plus point for the new SUV.
For a change, it is sometimes alright to judge a book by its cover. The new QX70’s muscular lines and aggressive stance speaks all about the crossover and suggests that this little monster is all about performance and it certainly carries under its metal veils just the right stuff to back up that impression. Strengthened by a version of the RWD-based architecture shared by the 370Z, the QX70 is nimble with its responses to control inputs and offers a taut, yet not uncomfortable ride. Offering its customers a choice between couple of stout powerplants, QX70 comes in a standard and an optional engine variation. The standard motor which is a 3.6 liter V-6 engine generates 325 horsepower and 267 pound feet of torque. The optional engine is a 5.0 liter V8 which elevates the output by 65 generating about 390 ponies and impressive 369 pound feet of twist which, in fact, is enough to cruise up the vehicle to 60 mph from rest in a sprint time of just over 5 seconds. Both the engines are mated with a seven speed automatic transmission. While the V6 is based on rear wheel drive as standard but can be optioned with all-wheel drive, the V8 is available exclusively with all wheel drive. Fuel economy for the FWD V6 and AWD V6 is rated as 17/24 city/highway mpg and 16/22 mpg respectively while the V8 returns 14/20 mpg.
On the inside, the new QX70 welcomes its passengers with a sybaritic cabin manifested with plush materials like soft leather, brushed aluminum and genuine wood trim. Since there is no iDrive-style infotainment controller, conventional buttons flourish. Sadly, offering just 24 cubic feet of trunk room, which is less than some “compact” crossovers like the Honda CR-V, a compromised cargo space disappoints. However, folding the rear seats down, swells up the storage to 62 cubic feet!
Both the versions come with a myriad of additional optional feature that help customize the 2014 Infiniti QX70 according to its owner. Once unique among luxury crossovers due to its wild styling over interior space, the QX70 now competes with even more radically styles “coupe-crossovers” like the BMW X6 and Acura ZDX.
